We pledge allegiance to the U.S.

In the past few days, news stories have told of online “petitions” from various states that support the secession of those states from the union.

The word “petitions” is in quotes because the documents — which can be found on a White House website — don’t ask for real or even full names. That makes them pretty close to meaningless as expressions of popular opinion, public policy or just about anything else.

But the documents are sparking not only debate but also counter-“petitions” — some of them satirical, some serious.

Here’s one that’s now on the White House’s website. And in contrast to the secessionist tracts, this one sounds like a proposal that people can sign their real names to with pride.

The petition asks the administration “to affirm that the state of North Carolina is and will continue to be one of these United States of America:

“We ask the President to affirm that the quiet strength of this great nation lies in a patient and powerful unity that transcends and transforms our differences and does not waiver in the face of impetuous and petulant indifference to the rule of law.

“We pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. We do not support secession.

“We the people of North Carolina will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic. We ask the President to recognize our commitment to the endurance of our extraordinary union.”

As a blogger for the Greensboro (N.C.) News and Record declares, “Now there’s a message worth sending.”

Tags: opinion, editorials, politics